UK Firms Say AI Creating Jobs, Not Replacing Them

The robots aren't stealing jobs after all. According to new research from Lloyds Business Barometer, 54% of UK businesses say AI has actually created new positions at their companies, marking a dramatic shift in how the technology is reshaping work.

The findings challenge the doom-and-gloom predictions that have dominated AI conversations for years. Instead of mass layoffs, companies are hiring and training people to work alongside intelligent systems.

Right now, 61% of British firms are using AI in some capacity. The bigger the company, the more likely they are to embrace it: 79% of businesses earning over £10 million annually have adopted the technology, compared to just 46% of smaller, domestically focused firms.

But here's the catch. While AI is creating opportunities, many workers aren't ready for them yet. About 31% of businesses admit their teams lack the necessary AI skills today.

Companies are responding with serious investment. A full 58% plan to increase spending on AI training in the next year, with many budgeting between £25,000 and £100,000 for upskilling programs. Some are spending even more, dedicating up to £250,000 to prepare their workforce.

The training push is already underway. Nearly half of firms are introducing new AI skills programs, while others are creating brand new positions specifically focused on artificial intelligence. Some companies are even changing their hiring practices to prioritize AI knowledge when bringing on new team members.

Lloyds Banking Group is practicing what it preaches. The financial giant plans to create over 1,000 AI-related roles by 2026 and has launched one of the UK's first Level 6 AI Engineering apprenticeships. Since January, their employees have completed more than 400,000 AI training courses.

The Ripple Effect

This shift is creating a divide in the British business landscape. International companies that can afford major AI investments are pulling ahead, while smaller domestic firms struggle with costs and access to specialized talent. The gap could reshape competitiveness across the UK economy.

But the overall picture remains hopeful. For every barrier like cost or data quality, businesses are finding solutions through training, collaboration, and creative hiring. The companies winning aren't just buying technology; they're investing in people who can use it effectively.

Amanda Murphy, CEO of Lloyds Business and Commercial Banking, puts it simply: success comes from combining human creativity with AI's power. The businesses that master that balance will lead the next generation of growth and innovation.

The future of work isn't humans versus machines; it's humans working smarter with machines as partners.